Abstract
Down's syndrome is associated with multiple hematologic abnormalities. Newborns with Down's syndrome may develop a myelodys-plastic syndrome akin to leukemia. The incidence of acute leukemia is increased in Down's syndrome. These serious hematologic complications of Down's syndrome may be the reflection of a steady state of compensated dysmyelopoiesis.
We studied 28 otherwise healthy individuals 10-25 years of age with Down's syndrome with three easily accessible hematologic parameters: MCV, MPV and NAP. The NAP was performed by the azodye method of Ackerman on peripheral blood smears and a numerical score given. MCV and MPV were measured by the Coulter counter S plus IV. The Down's syndrome population had a MCV of 94.1±3.9 fl (x̄±SD) a MPV of 9.3±0.7 fl and an NAP score of 161±54. The normal controls for the Coulter counter model S plus IV in our labaratory are a MCV 87±7 and a MPV of 8.9±1.5. The NAP score in normals has a mean score of 100±50. Down's syndrome mean values for MCV, MPV and NAP differed from the mean of normal population in our laboratory (p = <0.01, <0.05 and <0.01 respectively). MCV, MPV and NAP are all increased in Down's syndrome.
Macrocytosis, both of platelets and red cells with disordered metabolism of white cells suggest a state of disordered hematopoiesis in individuals with Down's syndrome.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
de Alarcon, P., Miceli, L., Mazur, E. et al. Down's syndrome and increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean platelet volume (MPV) and neutrophil alkaline phosphatase (NAP). Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 235 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00852
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00852